Really Pam, do we need more clarity on drugs & alcohol in the workplace? Yes I think we do.
I have had a couple clients contact me recently about their employees who are using and they are unsure what to do and it is affecting their work. Empire Life recently sent out an article that further clarifies their stance on drugs and alcohol. As they mention in the article, “these provisions were in place prior to legalization of cannabis”. Below is the portion of the article that pertains to the wordings in their contract:
“Medical cannabis
Canada became a world leader on October 17 when the Cannabis Act passed into law and the consumption and sale of recreational cannabis became legal (Uruguay is the only other country to fully legalize the drug, although many have decriminalized it). This is not the case for medical cannabis, which has been legalized in Australia, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, and the United Kingdom in recent years.
Here’s a quick re-cap of group benefits considerations:
- Empire Life does not cover recreational cannabis—our plans only cover expenses that are medically required.
- Our Group benefits contain exclusions related to injury, disability, or death resulting from the use of any drug, unless prescribed by a licensed physician and taken in accordance with directions given by the physician. In this way, benefit plans are protected.
- These provisions were in place prior to legalization of cannabis and apply to all drugs – legal or not.
- Legalization does not alter the policy framework covering drugs and alcohol in the workplace. On October 16, 2018, employees were not allowed to be impaired on the job or jeopardize the safety of others, and employers had a duty to provide a safe workplace and make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. This remains the same.
Customers wishing to cover medical cannabis can do so through our spending accounts—IHE or a HCSA—or with Cost Plus.“
Most insurance companies have similar wording in their contract.
If you would like further clarification on your employee benefit contracts, please contact Glendinning Insurance Services, your Resource Specialist.